LOCAL MATERIALS IN CONTEMPORARY ART

What is medium?
- the tool used in any art production
- substance that is manipulated
- any material and an accompanying technique that produces a work of art

What is technique?
- describe the skillful manipulation of the medium
- may utilize tools or technique
example:
Choreography Techniques
Acting Techniques
Cinematic Techniques
Literary Techniques
Musical Techniques
Artist's Techniques

Local materials from different regions of the Philippines

1. fibers

● Abaca,
- known as Manila hemp, is a species of banana and grown as a commercial crop
extracted from the leaf-stems/sheaths that contain the valuable fiber.
- It is used for making twines and ropes.
- abaca denim
- Other fibers derived from abaca are bakbak (a strong brown fiber used for furniture) and
sinamay (woven from processed abaca stalks.)
uses of Abaca
Decorative paper,bags, carpets, water-resistant clothing, denims, gowns (Pia Wurtzbach's blue
gown, designed by Francis Libiran, was made from pure abaca fabric), home decors, furniture,
tea bags, bank notes, mats, fishing nets, ropes, bins, slippers,frames,boxes,decorative accents
(like Christmas decors made of sinamay), hammocks, hats, etc.

● Bakong (tiger grass), a peculiar aquatic plant that was once considered a water pest
and irritant in Sta. Teresita, Cagayan until 2012, has become a new component in woven
products.
● Piña is one of the important cash crops in the country being used to make textile-based
products.
- The Philippines is an ideal home to grow pineapple and it is the second largest exporter
of pineapple in the world next to Thailand.
 - They grow abundantly in Polomolok, South Cotabato (Dole), Bukidnon (Del Monte), and
in some parts of Luzon and Visayas.
- In Visayas, Aklan is recognized to be the biggest producer of piña fibers in the
Philippines, and piña weaving is its oldest industry.
- Piña's long, fine, and luxurious threads come from its leaves.
- Its strands are resilient and strong. It has a slight luster similar to silk, and is washable.
- The fiber goes well with cotton, abaca (piña-jusi), and silk (piña-seda/silk).
- Piña fabric in this country is the finest in the world.
● Water lily
- Water lily produces coarse fiber with high gum content unsuitable for yarn production;
however, the Philippine Textile. Research
- Institute (PTRI) was able to convert the fiber into spinning yarns blended with either
polyester or cotton.

2. URBAN REUSES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS

● Mt. Pinatubo Volcanic Rocks (hard rocks, formed by cooling and hardening of molten
material called (magma) and lahar (hot or cold mixture of water and rock fragments
flowing down the slopes of a volcano).
- They are nontraditional materials experimented by Rey Paz Contreras to sculpt human
figures." His true interest was to make use of ethnic motifs and old symbols that would
gain contemporary expression.
- He pioneered the development of community-based people's art.
Uses:
Figurines, pottery, glass,lahar ash paintings, statues, building materials, Statues, furniture,
floors, shelves, wine racks, bowls, wooden ornaments, etc.

● Logging refuse utilizes the log's roots and branches to create any work of art. The
artists aim in using this material is to support reforestation programs in the provinces.
● Traviesa or hardwood railroad tracks are railroad sleeper refuse that were severely
damaged and some of them were about more than 100 years old. This material was
used in sculpture and practical tools.
● Recycled Materials such as bottles, caps, advertising banners, tetra-packs, soda cans,
straws, newspapers, incandescent bulbs, plastic spoons, and many more transform
trash into usable, trendy, and fun goods. An artwork made from recycled materials is
unique and truly individual.
● Mindoro Jade (nephrite) is a mineral abundant in Mindoro,
- The Iraya Mangyans risk their lives just to mine for this mineral.
- "Despite the hazards and the meager income they get out of it, the natives stick to the
only source of income they've known all their lives" - mining for nephrite

3. DESIGN TREND
The following materials can either be bought locally or customized by an artist using available
local art materials as embellishment.

● Minimalist Art Materials in Modern Homes Elaborate details and loud styles are
rejected in a minimalist design such as moldings, wood carvings on built-in cabinets and
furniture, excessive use of fabrics, and elaborate use of colors. Its theme is classic
design and its essence is functionality.
● Chrome and glass are both used in modern minimalist designs. Chrome or stainless
steel is seen in faucets, door knobs, furniture frames, legs, cabinets, handles, and
railings.
● Glass allows maximum use of natural lighting as seen in glass houses or homes with
large glass windows, doors, and wall panels.
● Key furniture pieces make great focal points. One must choose furniture that do not
only look great but also fits perfectly, and practically. Another thing to consider is the
functionality of a piece of furniture for the intended space.
- Open space also refers to open floor plan or open concept design is now a trend in
modern minimalism.
- It minimizes the use of small enclosed rooms to allow a person to experience the
freedom and grandeur it lends.

4. LARGE-SCALE ART MATERIALS

● Street Art is a kind of painting similar to the paintings featured by Filipino Street Art
Project (FSAP), Boysen's Project, and Pilipinas Street Plan (PSP) that provided an
insight into the street art scene in the Philippines and exposing the traditional Filipino
designs and patterns.
● It was inspired from graffiti art. Most artists of street art have received formal art training.
● Materials used were: acrylic, spray paint, stencil, pen markers, stickers, and acrylic paste
on Manila paper. The images are projected on billboards, building walls, concrete
fences, public transportations, and screens.
● Most graffiti artists are self-taught, and they are called writers because their medium is
word-based; whereas, street art is image-based.
● The materials used in graffiti art are the same as street art.